A month after the incident took place, the Flemish socialist leader Conner Rousseau has a given a “heart-felt apology” for the comments he made to police officers during a night out in his home town Sint-Niklaas. Mr Rousseau says that the comments that were allegedly racist in nature were made in a drunken haze.
Home News
Flemish socialist leader apologises for “drunken talk” during rant about the Roma community
Published:
Mr Rousseau convened a press conference at the bar where the incident took place in early September. The politician claims that he no longer remembers what exactly happed that night.
"I was been able to see the images that have been made available today and I can tell you that it was clear to see that the atmosphere was friendly and convivial”.
But what happened then?
Mr Rousseau added that "In my area of Sint-Niklaas (East Flanders) there has long been concern and frustration about nuicence, litter and intimidation. At a certain moment, at 6 ‘o clock in the morning in a drunken haze I started talking to a group of police officers that were here”.
"I expressed the frustration that exists among a lot of people that live around here in an incorrect way. It was drunken talk, and even though it was said in jest…I am even a little shocked with myself. I would like to issue a clear apology for the inappropriate things that I said".
Mr Rousseau says that the “inappropriate comments” concerned the Roma community. However, he now refuses to repeat what he said “while he is sober”.
When asked if he used the word “brown”, Mr Rousseau said “Not in the footage, but the police officers say that I did. All in all I can only say that I offer a complete apology for that drunken moment”.
Mr Conner Rousseau added that he distances himself from the comments he made "This isn’t who I am. My voluntary work, the person I am, my political commitment,… weigh much more heavily than one drunken, clumsy moment”.
During the entire press conference Mr Rousseau never mentioned the word “racist”. He said that he would find it incomprehensible if the Judicial Authorities decided to prosecute him for racism. “It will be up to the Judicial Authorities. But they will need proof on intent. You have to have deliberately set out to hurt and insult. You have to have deliberately made comments about a particular group. There is no question of this regarding me. You can’t attach any value to what was said then”.
Mr Rousseau says that he enjoys the support of his party and can still function as leader. He added that he will be tee total until after next year’s elections.